Urging young voters to get involved during High School Voter Education Week

Young people can play a critical role in our democracy by helping to choose the people who will lead us

Sept. 12, 2017

(This resolution appears in its original form. If amended by board action, please see the final version here.)

Dr. McKenna - LAUSD High School Voter Education Weeks (September 18--

29, 2017 and April 2018) (Res-013-17/18) Waiver of Board Rule 72

Whereas, In 2014 Assembly Bill 1817 was signed by Governor Jerry Brown designating the last two full weeks in April and September as High School Voter Education Weeks to promote civic education and foster an environment that encourages voting;

Whereas, California’s Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, who serves as the state’s chief electionofficial, is committed to strengthening democracy by encouraging voter registration and increasing participation in all elections by all eligible Californians;

Whereas, Young people can play a critical role in our democracy by helping to choose the people who will lead us and by voicing their opinions on the issues that are important to them;

Whereas, 16 and 17 year olds can now pre-register to vote and then automatically become active voters once they turn 18;

Whereas, In order to vote in California elections, citizens must be registered to vote 15 days before the election takes place;

Whereas, The California State Voter Registration deadline is May 21, 2018 to participate in the June 5th California statewide primary elections;

Whereas, The California Secretary of State have declared September 18-29, 2017 and April 2018 as CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL VOTER EDUCATION WEEKS; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District declares the weeks of September 18-29, 2017 and April 2018 to be “LAUSD High School Voter Education Weeks;”

Resolved further, That the Superintendent directs the District leadership to

work with community members, the California Secretary of State, and the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder/County Clerk to ensure voter registration guides and materials including other languages are available at every Parent Center in Senior High Schools and Adult Schools;

Resolved further, That high school administrators be encouraged to name one or more students as voter outreach coordinators to encourage student voter registration during High School Voter Registration Week;

Resolved further, That the Superintendent directs District leadership to distribute voter registration cards to all high school seniors and include in graduation ceremonial activities with encouragement to students to complete and submit forms to Registrar of Voters;

and be it finally Resolved, That the Board encourages schools to offer opportunities for students to engage in service learning projects geared towards voter registration, poll worker programs, and civics and